Town to continue flats opposition

Welshpool Town Council is considering taking Powys County Council to a judicial review over the handling of a planning application for a block of flats in the town centre.

The council objected to the scheme for 17 flats on the site of the former Welshpool Social Club which was put forward by Mid Wales Property on behalf of Mid Wales Housing.

Powys planners met in Welshpool following a site visit and passed the plans on the casting vote of the committee chairman, despite hearing objections from the Town Council, local County Councillor Graham Breeze and local residents.

The Town Council has taken legal advice and on Wednesday night voted to seek Queen’s Council opinion.

The council claims the case officer was not present at the planning meeting; not enough time was given between a cancelled hearing and the rearranged meeting; incorrect evidence was given on traffic level increases; a proper presentation was not made at the committee meeting and accurate measurements between a nearby property and the development were not presented.